The life of exchange students in Korea

▲source: Rayhan Usamah / In overseas practice at Gunsan University

1. Please introduce yourself.

Hello. I am Rayhan Usama from Indonesia. I am 22 years old and majoring in automotive engineering for the future at Kunsan University. I will graduate from Kunsan University next year.

2. Do you have any special reason to come to Korea?

When I was in Indonesia, I worried about my career. I wanted to learn more about my major and I considered many places. Among them, I thought that Korea is the fastest in its speed of development and most has the promising technology in the world. So I thought about coming to Korea first. Also, before coming to Korea, I heard that Koreans are very kind and polite to foreigners, and I decided to come to Korea for these factors. And I am currently living in Korea with satisfaction.

3. Although you have language problems and other difficulties such as relationships with friends, how do you adjust to living in Korea?

Because of my lack of language skill sometimes, after class, my professor teaches me, explaining what I do not know until I understand in English. Thanks to him, I am doing well in all his classes.

Also I am very close to my Korean friends. My Korean friends can speak a little bit of English and I can speak a little bit of Korean. Even if they are not good at English, by slowing down the speed of talking and using a translator, we can improve our communication. Good relationships keep going because we care about each other. We can keep the closed relationship because I meet many kind people in Korea.

4. Who is the person you are most grateful to have met in the university and why?

There are two people. First, professor Yoo Jun Won tried to explain ideas to me whenever there is a language block during the class. Furthermore, he kept teaching me until I finally understand the content. Thanks to him, I could study more efficiently and easily. Next is Professor Koo Bon-yong. He supported me a lot and always asked whether anything bad happened to me. I have learned my major study from him and want to learn more like that.

5. Do you have any goals during your stay in Korea?

My first goal is to get a good grade. I will enter the laboratory next month and learn more about my major study. The second goal is studying Korean hard to become a great engineer in Korea.

I want to get a job in Korea. I will graduate next year and I want to go to Seoul and do more work after graduation. But I think it will be hard because I still lack Korean language. But I will always try hard.

7. Is there anything you want to say to your classmates ?

If I can speak Korean well, I would like to communicate with Koreans more and get closer. So, I am doing my best to learn Korean now. I would be happy if many domestic students are willing to get along with foreign exchange students. I am sure that other exchange students would love to be close to you guys.